The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Ralph Royce, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. As Commanding General of the FIRST Air Force from April to August 1943, General Royce established standardized training programs which insured that his units would be trained and ready for oversea combat service at the appointed dates. He laid out and instituted plans for winter training and secured and prepared bases along the South Atlantic coast, thus permitting the uninterrupted training of units assigned to the FIRST Air Force. General Royce improved maintenance and supply conditions so that all available aircraft were employed to the maximum possible extent. Due to his close supervision through inspections and superior leadership his command improved materially in morale and operating efficiency during a period when the development of highly trained fighter units was of paramount urgency. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Royce and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Ralph Royce, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Forces in the Middle East from 1943 to 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Royce and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Ralph Royce, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Air Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force and Commanding General of the U.S. Component, from 1944 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Royce and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
War Department, General Orders No. 17 (April 2, 1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major General Ralph Royce, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Southwest Pacific area during 1942. During this period General Royce was continually engaged in important reconnaissance and combat missions involving various aviation task forces in this theater of operations. Many of these flights were made in the face of extreme personal hazard because of long over-water travel, adverse weather conditions, limited navigation aids and the danger of enemy interception. General Royce, by his tenacity of purpose in securing first-hand knowledge and his expert planning of aerial attack, not only assisted materially in the efficient employment of air strength in this area, but also served as a high incentive to the personnel of his command. The splendid record of aerial achievements resulting from his energetic and conscientious devotion to duty and the effectiveness of American military aviation in the Southwest Pacific reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
Allied Air Force Headquarters (SWPA)Action Date:
April 10 – 14, 1942
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in Australia, General Orders No. 39 (April 15, 1942)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General Ralph Royce (ASN: 0-3731), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in aerial combat while serving as the Senior Air Staff Officer, Allied Air Force Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, in action against enemy forces during the period 10 through 14 April 1942. On 11 April Brigadier General Royce led a flight of 7 B-25Cs and 3 B-17s from Australia to a staging field of Del Monte on Mindanao in the Philippines in a daring 4-day mission. Over the following two days the B-25’s and B-17’s attacked the many ships and the docks at Cebu, the air and harbor facilities at Davao, and Nichols Field on Luzon. The B-25 Mitchell’s were involved in over twenty sorties. They sank one Jap transport and possibly two others. They also shot down three Japanese aircraft. All but one of the aircraft returned to Australia without the loss of a single flyer, and they brought out a number of important military and diplomatic personnel who had gathered at Del Monte to await evacuation. The gallant leadership, personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Brigadier General Royce during this period have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.